North Louisiana Chef Shoots Pilot for ‘Food Network Star’ Finale

This chef from Monroe is one step closer to getting his own show on Food Network.

I'm sure I've said this a time or two, but I love Food Network. It's something that is on in the background through all of my daily activities at home and I'm pretty much obsessed with some of the cooking competition shows. Right now, it's all about Food Network Star. This is when the network gives chefs and home cooks a chance to compete for their own show.

And Chef Cory Bahr of Monroe, Louisiana is in the final three!

For this competition, the final three actually get to film a pilot for Food Network. That means that Cory has made a pilot. Each finalist was coached through the pilot process by Food Network Star veteran and personality, Guy Fieri.

It wasn't always gumdrops and roses for Cory, however. He was actually eliminated during the competition, just short of making the top four. He was then able to compete in a spinoff series called Star Salvation. This gave him a chance to cook his way back into the competition. Since he won Star Salvation, he was back in the game, joining the then three finalists in hopes of making a pilot. During Sunday's episode, we saw that he received the invitation to film.

Now, it's all about impressing the network executives.

The Food Network big wigs will be watching the pilots from Cory, Jason Smith from Kentucky (also a Food Network Holiday Baking Champion), and Rusty Hamlin (south Louisiana native and former chef for Zac Brown Band). They will determine who will be crowned the winner of Food Network Star and receive their own show. Cory has been solid when it comes to his southern-inspired food, but has struggled to show authenticity. Don't mistake that for not being passionate. He oozes passion for food.

The season finale of Food Network Star is set to air Sunday, August 13 at 7 p.m. CT on Food Network.